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Red Sox expect Pedroia back after early exit

Red Sox expect Pedroia back after early exit

8/17/13: Dustin Pedroia dives to his right to make a great play, taking a hit away from Alex Rodriguez in the sixth inning

By Michael Periatt
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MLB.com |

BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia was removed for the final half-inning of Saturday's 6-1 win against the Yankees after taking a foul ball off his left shin.

He was seen limping in the clubhouse after the game and did not speak to the media, but manager John Farrell said he has no reason to expect his second baseman will miss any game action.

"He's sore. The foul ball got him just above the ankle on the shin," Farrell said. "We'll check in the morning. At this point, we don't anticipate missing any time.

"He had a fluoroscan done here at the ballpark, which was negative. Right now, everything points to being a negative situation. If he comes in tomorrow with any increased soreness, we'll take every precaution needed."

A fluoroscan is similar to an X-ray.

Pedroia fell to the ground after fouling a ball off the area just above his left foot in the eighth inning against Yankees reliever Adam Warren.

He initially tried to get up, but went back to his hands and knees as Farrell and a team trainer came out to assist him. Pedroia eventually got up and convinced Farrell to let him finish the at-bat, which ended with him striking out swinging, but when the Red Sox took the field in the ninth inning, Brock Holt replaced him at second base.

The location of the injury raises some concerns, because in 2010, Pedroia missed most of the season with a broken left foot, eventually having it surgically repaired.

Batting .292 with 69 RBIs on the season, Pedroia, who turned 30 on Saturday, has been an integral part of a Red Sox offense that has scored more runs than any team in the Major Leagues. In July, the Red Sox signed Pedroia to a $110 million extension through the 2021 season.

"He's huge," outfielder Daniel Nava said. "I mean, come on, what do you think I'm going to say? He's Dustin Pedroia. He's obviously got a huge contract for a reason, because he's not just offensively, he's defensively -- you saw what he did today. He makes great stops, works counts. There's so many things that he does. Who wouldn't want to have him in the lineup?"

Pedroia is known for his durability, though. He leads the Majors with 124 games played this season and has developed a reputation for toughness within the clubhouse.

"I think he'll be fine," shortstop Stephen Drew said. "You know, get him out of there while we're ahead and kind of just let that ankle rest up, see how he is tomorrow. But everyone knows he's a tough guy and hopefully we'll be in there tomorrow."

Michael Periatt is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.